Camera Shutter Mechanism for Privacy Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera technologies are vulnerable to unauthorized access and privacy breaches, as they often rely on software for operation, making it possible for malicious actors to take control of the camera without the user's knowledge.

Innovation Solution

The camera equipment and terminal provided incorporate a shutter component with a through-hole that can be controlled by a sensing mechanism to reveal or block the camera's sight line in response to user commands, ensuring user privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If camera operation relies on software control, then camera functionality and automation are improved, but security and privacy protection deteriorate due to unauthorized access risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera operation automationVSAvoidprivacy security
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shutter component is introduced as an intermediary physical barrier between the camera lens and the external environment. The shutter can be opened or closed to control light transmission, providing a mechanical layer of security that independent of software control. This mediator allows the system to maintain software-based automation while adding a physical security layer that prevents unauthorized imaging even when software control is compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera system is segmented into separate functional components: the camera assembly, the shutter component, and the sensing mechanism. This segmentation allows independent control of the imaging function (camera) from the security control function (shutter + sensing mechanism). The shutter can be controlled independently based on sensing mechanism input, creating a divided control architecture that enhances security by separating authorization from execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a shutter component is added to physically block the camera, then privacy protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy securityVSAvoidcamera structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter component is merged with the camera assembly into an integrated unit. The shutter is positioned within the camera housing and works in conjunction with the lens and sensor, forming a unified optical system. This merging reduces the need for separate external components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the privacy protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter component serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical security barrier for privacy protection, controls light transmission for imaging optimization, and can be integrated with the sensing mechanism for automated security responses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automatic shutter control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensing mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter controlVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing mechanism enables the shutter system to automatically detect and respond to security conditions without requiring manual user intervention. The system monitors its own operational state and environmental conditions, making decisions about shutter positioning autonomously. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while the integrated nature of the sensing mechanism keeps the control system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12339577B2Camera equipment and terminal
Publication Date: 2025.06.24 ESSENCE TECH HLDG (HK) LTD
  • US12339577B2 patent drawing
  • US12339577B2 patent drawing
  • US12339577B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure describes a piece of camera equipment and a terminal. The camera equipment includes a housing, a camera assembly, a shutter component, and a sensing mechanism. The housing defines an accommodation space; the camera assembly and the shutter component are arranged in the accommodation space. The shutter component defines a through-hole, and the through-hole is configured to enable the camera assembly to acquire image information through the through-hole. The sensing mechanism is connected with the shutter component and configured to control the shutter component to reveal or block the through-hole in response to the user's control command.